MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Losing Streak Hits Nine with Heartbreaking Loss

Published on July 17, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


BELOIT, WI -- The losing streak has reached nine for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Rattlers followed a familiar pattern in their 4-3 loss to the Beloit Snappers on Tuesday night at Pohlman Field. The Rattlers grabbed a lead, failed to pad the lead when they had an opportunity, and the opponents rallied against the bullpen. The winning run scored for Beloit when Chris Parmelee drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning. The loss wasted a fine pitching performance by Rattler starter Ricky Orta.

Joe White drove in the first run of the game. His two-out double to right center allowed Reed Eastley to score all the way from first and the Rattlers had a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth.

But, Beloit (56-37 overall, 12-11 second half) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Danny Berg led off the inning with a home run to left center.

Then, the Rattlers (30-61, 8-15) bounced back. Calvin Beamon doubled with two outs. Kuo Hui Lo followed with another double and Beamon scored to put Wisconsin up 2-1.

Wisconsin had a great opportunity to put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth. Reliever Jose Lugo walked the first three batters he faced to load the bases. Beloit went to the bullpen again and Matt Williams relieved Lugo. Williams got a strikeout for the first out. Jamie McOwen singled to left to drive in a run for a 3-1 lead. But, Williams got Jair Fernandez to ground into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

Orta struck out the first two batters of the bottom of the sixth, but he fell behind Matt Betsill 1-0. Betsill drilled the next pitch over the wall in right center for his first homer of the season to cut the lead to one run again.

Orta's night was done after six innings. He struck out a career high ten and left with the Rattlers up 3-2. But, Wisconsin's bullpen could not hold the lead.

Keith Renaud walked Joe Benson, the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh. Then, Benson stole second. Wilson Ramos singled to right to drive in Benson and tie the game at three. An error on the play allowed Ramos to take third and the Snappers had the go ahead run ninety feet from home. Renaud got out of the inning with a strikeout and a popout.

Rollie Gibson, who got the final two outs of the bottom of the eighth inning, started the bottom of the ninth by walking Yancarlos Ortiz. Benson could not get the sacrifice bunt down, but wound up with a single. Steve Singleton did get the sacrifice bunt down and each runner moved up a base.

Wisconsin decided to walk Ramos intentionally to load the bases. But, Gibson walked Parmelee on four pitches to force in the winning run.

Game two of the series is Wednesday night. Steve Richard (4-2, 3.99) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit will send Brian Kirwan (2-2, 3.61) to the mound. Game time at Pohlman Field is 7:00pm.

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Midwest League Stories from July 17, 2007


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